Disclaimer: London Drum has no association with Old Operating Theatre. Whilst we make every effort to ensure the event information is accurate, museum exhibitions in London are sometimes cancelled or amended without us being notified. You should always reconfirm the museum exhibition with Old Operating Theatre before making plans

In the days before anaesthesia and antibiotics had been invented operations had to be extremely quick, because the chances of a patient dying on the table or getting an infection were high. (And also the constant screaming must have got on their nerves.) If the patient was lucky he would pass out from the pain within the first few seconds, but if he was made of sterner stuff then all he had to dull the pain was a pre-show whiskey and a block of wood to bite on.

They were made of tough stuff in those days! We don't appreciate how nice and easy we've got it nowadays -- all we have to do now is put our pyjamas on before the doctors knock us out with some sleeping potion. But if you'd like to get a taste of the horrors that the Victorians had to endure then get yourself down to the Old Operating Theatre for a demonstration.

The Old Operating Theatre is a remarkable time-capsule that has somehow managed to survive in the rafters of the old St. Thomas's Hospital. It is sitting at the top of a tower near The Shard, and when you tiptoe up the creaky old stairs you find yourself in a... er... how can we best describe it? -- it's like a witch's cottage in the forest. It sounds daft, but you will totally understand what we mean when you see it. Check out the photos in Craig's review of the Old Operating Theatre to show you we're not joking.

The actual Operating Theatre itself is like a mini-amphitheatre, with some wooden balconies around a table in the pit. That's where the patient will be lying (screaming) while you watch (cower) in the stands. Whilst he is writhing in pain the doctor will explain some of the methods the Victorians used, and how they compare with the methods today.

Craig has never been to this actual event (he's too frightened), but have a read of that review on his blog to see what the Operating Theatre is like inside. Feel free to ask him some questions about it as well.

Wounded: Conflict, Casualties and Care – 29th June 2016 to 15th January 2018The Science Museum's 'Wounded: Conflict, Casualties and Care' exhibition will look at medicine during the Battle of the Somme.